Sunday, 19 October 2014

On 29 September a simple, but elegant, service was held to farewell Carlyne Patterson, who died after a long battle with motor neurone disease. Many present had known Carlyne as a Sogetsu teacher and others knew her as a colleague. She trained with Norman Sparnon and three of her students have been awarded the Norman and Mary Sparnon travelling scholarship!Phillip Keon's arrangement of anthuria, white roses, chrysanthemums and a profusion of other material lay on top of the coffin during the service.Some pictures during preparation......

At the general meeting of the Melbourne Chapter of Ikebana International on 14 October children's author, Tetsuta Watanabe gave an enthralling talk, alluding along the way to the similarities between his stories and ikebana, especially the key ingredients of simplicity, narrative and visual impact. He lives in the Dandenong ranges and many of his stories (in Japanese) are about the Australian bush.

He later wrote to say how much he had appreciated the kind and enthusiastic audience. And if you missed the occasion there will be other opportunities to meet Tetsuta at future workshops and exhibitions, as he is a Sogetsu student of Lara Telford's.Many members made arrangements with the theme of children in mind......

Some diary dates :The next general meeting on Tuesday November 11 at Toorak Uniting Church Hall, 603 Toorak Road, Toorak, will start promptly at 10 (note the earlier starting time).There will be a demonstration by several members of the Shogetsudokoryu School who are visiting from Japan, led by the iemoto-designate.A free-style workshop in the afternoon is for members only.For further details please contact Mrs Chieko Yazaki : cyyazaki@gmail.comOn Sunday November 30 , 1.30 -2.30, there will be an ikenobo demonstration and workshop at Rippon Lea House and Garden, 192 Hotham Street, Elsternwick, led by Mrs Yukako Braun. It is part of the Spring Garden Festival of the National Trust, Victoria.Everyone is welcome so tell friends and family. Cost : $25 or $20 for National Trust members. For further details: www.springgardenfestival.com.au